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Price category: 1,000 - 2,500 usd / eur

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This organic shell vase by contemporary Brazilian artist Domingos Tótora is a prime example of the artist’s ars poetica: “I’m a mix of artist, designer, and craftsman.” Additionally, the environmentally conscious artist creates his sculptural vases out of recycled cardboard.

Named “Carbono”, this vase is made from recycled cardboard with added graphite pigment. A smooth, matte surface and the organic shape characterize the designer’s work and are witness to his extensive experience in object design. During the creation process Tótora reduces the cardboard to a semi-liquid pulp, hand moulds it into the desired shape and dries the almost finished product in the Brazilian sun. He creates his sculptures so that beauty is inseparable from function, lifting common everyday objects and injecting them with the spirit of Minas Gerais, the beautiful mountainous region he grew up surrounded by. Sustainability is essential for the Brazilian artist and accordingly, this vase was made in a certified sustainable way, a beautiful and labour-intensive process, in which the cardboard that originated as wood is essentially brought back a full cycle by taking on a wood-like quality again. For Tótora “sustainability happens through actions and not words”.

Although Tótora’s team follows his designs closely, his creations are made by hand and inherently open to little imperfections and differences, making each piece unique. This vase is for indoor use and is not suitable for water.

Dimensions:

11.81 in W x 5.9 in D x 20.67 in H

30 cm W x 15 cm D x 52.5 cm H

About the designer:

Domingos Tótora (1960-) is a contemporary Brazilian designer whose work falls between art and design. Born and raised in the mountainous region of Maria da Fé, nature is an essential part of Tótora’s aesthetic. Being true to nature means that imperfections are a welcome part of Tótora’s designs, embracing asymmetry and unevenness in the spirit of wabi-sabi.

Following his studies in São Paulo, Tótora found inspiration on the streets in the form of discarded cardboards. He created a process in which cardboard can be recycled by breaking it down to small pieces, transforming it to cellulose plaster. With the addition of water, glue and natural pigments, the cardboard can be shaped into new forms. Through this sustainable process, waste cardboards are turned into a wood-like material. Tótora and his small team believe sustainability happens through actions and not words.

His studio, Domingos Tótora Estúdio de Artes Design, was founded in 2005 in his hometown, Maria da Fé. The beauty of his work manifests itself in its philosophy of creation and respect for the environment. The production process of Tótora’s designs is 100% manual and the cardboard he uses is fully recycled. Domingos Tótora is a true mixture of artist, designer, and craftsman. In recent years, the originality and elegance of his creations have been recognized in several exhibitions. ~H.